Will Darius Taylor Play in Minnesota Gophers Opener?

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Aug 20, 2024
Darius Taylor - Quick Lane Bowl-Bowling Green at Minnesota
Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Gophers offense will be better in 2024 than it was in 2023, because Max Brosmer is a more talented quarterback and much better leader than what Athan Kaliakmanis. But the best skill player on PJ Fleck’s revamped offense is Darius Taylor, the uber-talented sophomore running back.

Last season, Taylor burst onto the scene in Dinkytown with three-straight Big Ten Freshman of the Week awards. Unfortunately, injuries slowed his breakthrough year, limiting him to just six games.

Darius made the best of his opportunities, though, rushing for 799 yards (5.8 YPC) and five touchdowns. He also played a significant role in the pass game, (11 receptions, 92 yards).

That’s why the Minnesota Gophers need Darius Taylor on the football field. When healthy, he will be far and away the number one focus for defenses to try and slow down. Obviously, that would certainly help a transfer FCS quarterback who is trying to acclimate to the speed of division one football.

Superstar RB Darius Taylor appears to be questionable for Minnesota Gophers vs UNC Tarheels

Unfortunately, we don’t know if that will actually happen next week, when the Gophers open their 2024 season vs the North Carolina Tar Heels, at Huntington Bank Stadium.

At one of the few practices media has been invited to attend this summer, Taylor hobbled off the field with what is now being reported (via the Star Tribune) as a hamstring injury. Fleck spoke with reporters yesterday and, as expected, failed to update anyone on his situation. But reporters on the beat are skeptical.

“[Darius Taylor] is doing great. You know, we brought in a ton of players for that reason, in general. If anybody ever gets banged up. We got a few bumps and bruises, but you know, I’m gonna use the same line, as we get in 10 days before game day. The injury report will come out, you know, two hours before kickoff. But this is a very healthy football team.”

Star Tribune

Then (included in the video), PJ Fleck went into the depth that the running back depth that the Gophers built during the offseason. ‘Beefed up’ would be an understatement. This spring, the Gophers made it their mission to improve the running back room, through the portal. They couldn’t continue to lose talent at such an important position on this offense.

Gophers stacked running back room with veteran depth

Dinkytown Athletes helped convince Darius Taylor to stay for his sophomore season. Fleck & Co then went on to add Marcus Major (Oklahoma), Sieh Bangura (Ohio) and Jaren Mangham (Michigan State).

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Combined, those three running backs bring 13 years, 4,147 yards and 53 collegiate touchdowns worth of experience to the University of Minnesota backfield for 2024. Like I noted, Fleck was on a mission to add RB depth during the offseason.

The Gophers brought in all these reinforcements because of how baren that room had gotten, from a talent standpoint. The depletion happened due to Mohamed Ibrahim’s Van Wilder style tenure, as Minnesota’s RB1. That, along with a slow start to the NIL era of college football cost Minnesota’s running backs big time.

Related: Gophers’ Koi Perich Already Earning Accolades

So, that is why PJ feels good about where the Gophers running back room is, entering week one of the regular season. Still, this doesn’t seem like good news, if you are hoping Darius Taylor’s hamstring will be healthy for that contest. Of course, we don’t know for sure if Taylor will play, but I wouldn’t hold your breath for the next nine days hoping so.

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